THIS IS LOVE (Making An Informed Decision)

 

 

 

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

(1 John 4:10 NIV)

 

 

 

 

Beloved one, as I awoke and read the above truth that I now rejoice in, the below is what I was divinely inspired to write. With that said, I now invite you Into My HEART...

Awakening: Asking For The Holy Spirit

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NKJV)



Awakening (defined by Dictionary.com): rousing; quickening; the act of awaking from sleep; a revival of interest or attention; a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something; a renewal of interest in religion, especially in a community; a revival.



Father, Your Son said to us, how much more would your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13)

AWAKENING

And so I ask!

My Uncle Paid The Price

My uncle, Manuel De Jesus Moncion

“You shall put your hand on its head, and it will be accepted as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” (Leviticus 1:4 GNT)


As I read is the Book of Leviticus to further embrace my prayer, passion and desire to know my Savior Jesus for all He is, I am pleasantly blessed to discover what the above verse means. In context, it speaks about sacrificial offerings to atone for ones’ sins.

Out of context, in speaking directly to the verse above, it’s defined as: The laying of the hand on the head of the sacrificial offering (an unblemished animal in this case) symbolized the person’s complete identification with the animal as his substitute— The animals perfection for the mans imperfection.

Beloved, just now as I am studying up for something BIG the LORD is speaking into me to write, I was reminded of a time when I was a little boy and my uncle paid the price for my mistake.

Family Hug!

(F. Lugo’s  “Family Hug”) 

Oh, how sweet it is to receive a loving hug.
Filled with warmth, the touch means the most.
Bodies colliding in impact, saying I love you.
Oh, how sweet it is.

My Struggles... His Triumph (the sequel)

“ In my struggle You are triumphant. In my weakness You are strong. In my despair You are joy. So I know though I struggle, I will be triumphant. Thank You Jesus! ”

In case you were wondering where’s the original, since this is the sequel, here’s a link to my Facebook page. Add me as a friend, and you can read the original in “My Notes”: My Struggles... His Triumph


Beloved, today as I had my quiet time with the Lord, my time with Him was ignited!...

Does The Heavenly Father Hear Us?

Today’s blog post will cause the heart to open up and be healed. It will cause doubt to be extinguished. It will cause worry to be quieted, and it will cause you to change the question into a sure answer...

A testimony of His grace

Last night I found myself in a familiar place as of lately... Being aside from the Lord’s peace. Then something happened. Transition took place. Instead of lingering about in that moment I stepped away. I forgot about that moment where I was not experiencing the Lord’s peace but experiencing aggravation over something so trivial.

When I returned back to the situation, instead of focusing on it, I decided to lay down, and behold, I went into my YouVersion bible application and I started to read in a suggested text starting in Genesis 6. Before I knew it, not only was I experiencing something I hadn't experienced lately (Peace!), but I was also sharing it with my beloved (Mishel) and our evening that started out rocked by struggle and sadness ended in peace, gladness and praise to the Lord for who He is and all He has done and is doing. Amen!

Amazing how that happens. Steadily as you look away from God and towards yourself you experience lack. Not necessarily lack of material things, but lack of peace, joy, passion and love. And just as that happens, so does the steady return to His peace, joy, passion and love as the gaze of life is turned towards Him. Amen.

This I know! I have struggled greatly in my life, and for the most part it’s an inward battle, but the Lord is faithful and true to His Word. He will establish us in His grace but our decision must be to look towards Him.

Therefore beloved, you can rest assured God’s grace is sufficient to give you peace in times of struggle as His Word so comforting tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So as you look to the Lord, let yourselves be at peace, as we have an advocate with the Father, and we can ‘boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on us.’ He is Jesus Christ the Righteous. Amen!

With that being said, this simple and amazing prayer I learned, I lead you in now.


Let us pray:

God, give us the serenity we need to accept what we can’t change. The courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference between the two. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Jesus Christ The Righteous

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 NKJV


A good morning indeed it is, to receive the overflowing bounty of God’s grace and the riches of goodness that flows lovingly from Him up above... For all things good come from God the Father above. Amen.

As I reflect on my life, and the thoughts, words and actions that entail my life, sadly I cannot proudly stand up straight knowing I have done all things right and have obeyed God fully. But this I know and am confident in, that as judgement day comes, and all that I am is exposed, I have the Advocate to stand before the Judge on my behalf and defend me against the accuser’s pointing finger.

It is He Jesus, that defends me! It is He Jesus that covers me! It is He Jesus, that although I desire to remain in right standing with God, how I praise Him that in my weakness if I sin, He is our Advocate that stands before the Father... Yes! The Lord Jesus Christ the righteous. Amen!

How beautiful is His Word to us, whether we are strong or weak in our faith. How faithful He is to us although we fail Him daily. The love of God that avails all things purifies us from our sins by the death of His Righteous Son Jesus on the Cross. Praise be to our God forever and ever. Faithful and true. Blessed be His name forever— Righteous One... Jesus. Amen!

Backsliding Into His Grace

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open (exposed in their true nature) to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 NKJV emphasis added by me)

Beloved, today was a hard day for me. In my exhaustion, I noticed myself slipping away from the Lord. Just when I noticed that transition God intervened as He is faithful, and I was made aware that two of my other siblings in Christ were struggling as well. So, with the ounce of strength I had I did not put myself first, but I prayed to God that He would protect them in His grace, that He would draw near to them in His mercy, and He would shelter them in His Spirit.

From that moment, I experienced a shift within my spirit and the Lord’s peace came upon me, gladness consumed me and my God was as He is!— My Savior, My Redeemer, My Provider and my Protector. He is my God and He is faithful! Amen!

Praise be to the Lord our God for His unwavering faithfulness even when we aren’t faithful. May He be forever praise in His glorious richness of His mercy and grace to us. Amen.

As I have received it, so shall you! “It is comforting to realize that although God knows us intimately, He still loves us.” Amen!

A Thankful Post: Reading Is FUNdaMENTAL

Beloved, I wanted to share with you this very thought I had moments ago. As I was reading Joel Osteen’s Every Day A Friday, I was so unbelievably thankful to God that although many areas of my life are an ongoing process as I certainly don’t have it all together, I have the extreme pleasure of knowing how to read and knowing how to write.

Yup! For me, reading and writing are escapes to a world where there is peace, there is continual encouragement and there is a bridge that closes the gap from me to you, where we are the closest of friends and we are a loving family that I can share my thoughts, feelings, dreams, desires and fears with. I can let you know what makes me laugh and cry, and we don’t need to worry about any of us looking at each other with a critical and judgmental spirit, but with all the compassion, understanding and love we accept each other for who we are. Amen.

Reading to me is FUN and if we choose wisely and allow what we read to sink into everything we are, it will not only stimulate us MENTALLY, but a part of us will FOREVER change and the treasury of our HEART will have grown dramatically. Amen! Don’t you agree?

So as I return back to Chapter 19 “Seeing Through Eyes of Love” from Joel Osteen’s Every Day A Friday, I hope this thankful post will have in some way encouraged you as it was placed into my heart to reach out and LOVE YOU.

God’s blessings of peace, joy and love be with you, in Jesus name. Amen.

A Humble Post: No Gimmicks... Just Me

Beloved, today's Saturday July 13 and it's 1:10am as I start to write this. I can't remember what made me think of the word gimmick. But let me start by including its definition now:

Gimmick (noun): an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.

Don't know about you, but I have looked into the bathroom mirror at times at my reflection and think, 'This is the best I can do.'

Here's something I have shared with very few people... I like to make silly faces periodically in the bathroom mirror, at people I know, on that visor thingy (yup! I said thingy...LOL) in the car... oh yeah, it's called a visor, and even in pictures I've taken with phone just to make myself laugh. That's not a glamorous thing and it probably doesn't have a great appeal to it, but it's me.


I don't come with shiny jewelry (when I was in my early twenties I actually considered getting those "grillz" the rappers used to wear as a piece of mouth jewelry). I know... Shocking. Thank God that was a phase. 


I don't wear expensive; flashy clothing, and I don't drive some exotic fast overly priced car with a name you can't pronounce. I own a 1992 Buick Century, and I think it's a nice car. It might not take anyone's breath away other than to say 'That's an old car,' but it's fine with me. 


I don't speak in fancy words, but I try my best to speak plainly in a manner everyone can understand. I enjoy the way I speak. Simple, easy to understand (although I have been told I tend to talk low at times.) Nobody's perfect, right?!


I'm not someone who would be described as debonair, gallant, or the picture of a night in shiny armor. I'm simple, humble, some may say plain as can be, but I have a heart that is filled with love, and desires to encourage as many people as I possibly can with what I have, and what I know with the time I have on God's green earth. 



I don't think like you do. I don't act like you do. I don't speak like you do. I don't come from the same place you do. I don't laugh at the same things you do. But that's the cool part (although I say to myself at times, why didn't they find that funny). Although we may think we are very plain, we're actually unique and quite marvelous. for anyone who is familiar with the Bible, there's a verse in the book of Psalm that sheds light on how God looks at us "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well." and again, "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of  them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand" (Psalm 139: 14, 17-18 NKJV).


Knowing God doesn't see me the way I see myself in the mirror at times is so comforting and inviting. Don't you agree? When I decided to write these words to you, I didn't want to preach to you or teach you anything, but I know these words will speak to you and I hope and pray that just as they fill me with the warmth of God's love for me, they will do he same with you.



As I look at my life I don't want to be someone who needs to put on a show, and dazzle the crowd to get attention. I just want to be the best me I can be. No gimmicks, no shiny jewelry, no European car, and certainly no grill in my mouth that looks like a mini chandelier. <-- I hope that last part made you laugh. 


We may not meet many people who think we're great, but I'm glad that the Creator of the Universe and all that's in it, thinks you and I are quite AMAZING. And that certainly makes me happy being me, and that goes for you too!

Sincerely,

Me

P.U.S.H.

Pray Through it!

Beloved, I come to you today requesting prayer as I am feeling quite exhausted spiritually and mentally and it has me not wanting to do anything. Therefore, I humbly and thankfully ask that you keep me in prayer. Wherever you are, here in the U.S. or abroad, please pray for me. I need to rest and regain strength then I can continue to uphold the ministry that God has seen me trustworthy in Christ Jesus to uphold, and that is to encourage souls! Amen.

I am reminded by my girlfriend today of the acronym P.U.S.H. and that is Pray Until Something Happens. Prayer is that absolute intimate connection between us and God. Sometimes prayer seems easy to do, and other times, prayer seems to demand all our attention and strength to do and believe in it. I believe prayer is something not to be taken lightly, but rather as an important part of our existence that we can't go without. In giving thanks to God for our food, let us not rush through it as if we would starve to death for taking an extra moment to give thanks and bless the meal we are fortunate to have and be able to eat. In praying for our families, our friends, the Church, those who are in need all over the world and ourselves, let us not rush through it, but pray with resolve that not only that God hears our prayers, but in His perfect timing He will answer them as He sees fit. For this I know! God's ways are higher than our ways, and God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so let us have peace to pray and to pray without ceasing for there is always something or someone to pray for, and let us allow God to answer them in His time and in His grace and in His way. Can I get an Amen?!

So whether I am in strength or I am in weakness, I pray that God's grace that is all sufficient will continuously allow me to pray without ceasing that His strength in my weakness would be made known in and through me that many might be comforted, strengthened, filled with hope, come to faith in Christ Jesus and be saved knowing God's absolute and full love. Amen!

So, now that P.U.S.H. is in affect, and this verse I share with you now is made known, let us lift our prayers up in praise to God, that He would be mighty to work in and through us that our prayers would be answered and not hindered. Amen.

For the Word of God encourages us now... "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 NIV). So let us embrace that this harvest we seek in prayer, is the harvest of prayers answered. Amen.

Let us pray:

Father and God, You and You alone are wise and able to accomplish all things. We humbly come to You that You in Your infinite grace would hear our prayers and answer them. As we ask for strength to continue on in what You have called us to. We seek rest from our weariness. And we desire direction to knock on that door of peace that stands available before us. Give us the sight to see it. The faith to believe it. The strength to patiently wait on it and pray through it. And the heart to want it for all. We praise You for always being available to us, never leaving us or abandoning us in our weakness or forgetting us. You, and You alone are to be praised. May all the glory, honor, power and dominion be to You forever and ever! We thank You and bless You in Jesus name. Amen.

Beloved, as always... YOU ARE LOVED.

Jesus Loves Me... This I Know

Beloved, it's 1:36am July 8, 2012 for me as I start to write this to you. I wanted to confess something that was on my mind to you. Moments ago as I headed into the bathroom to make preparations to go to sleep, I said to God, “Lord, I certainly do not feel spiritual or godly this moment.” In that very moment I received an answer from God not in the audible sense, but a confirming truth, as I started to receive His Word into my spirit, loudly saying to me that He hasn't left me, nor has He forgotten about me, but He certainly loves me and will comfort me. Amen.

Once that comforting moment overcame me, these lyrics to a very popular Christian hymn that originated in the 1800’s written by a woman named (Anna Barlett Warner) filled my mind:

“Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.” Amen.

Many stanzas had been added over the decades, and in the line of my predecessors I will add a stanza (unofficially) of my own.

“Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Holy Spirit in me confirms it so.”

That stanza above is a comforting promise. How so? Picture 2000+ years ago. It's around 33 A.D. and Jesus is in His last days before being crucified. It’s the night before He would die on the Cross at Calvary's Mountain. He tells His disciples who have lived, ate, slept, traveled, learned and grown very close to Jesus in their 3 years as His followers, that He is about to be sent up to be crucified and die for the sins of many. Shocking stuff, huh?!

This news sent shockwaves into the hearts and minds of 11 men who had become not only followers of Jesus, but friends as well.

Yet! What would follow would be even more surprising. Jesus tells them, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7 NKJV)

This “Helper” Jesus spoke of, is the same Helper that comforted me, as I spoke those words, ‘I certainly don't feel spiritual or godly this moment.’

This Helper is the Holy Spirit, as Jesus mentioned it earlier to His disciples, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit is an ever present reminder that I am not alone, and even the littlest of concerns to me are important to God. Amen.

Tonight I was blessed and pleasantly reminded that God will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen Lord Jesus!

Beloved, in closing, I wanted to remind you of something you may have already grasped from reading the words God fills my heart with to share with you— And that is, God is love. He isn't a cosmic killjoy. He isn't an impersonal God. He isn't a figment of the imagination. He isn't out of touch with the concerns of His creation.

No! God wants all of us to experience an abundant life. He is a personable God. He is very real and is Truth. He is in tune and very much in touch with the human condition and how very fragile we really are whether we’re willing to admit it or not.

In my lifetime beloved, it's my absolute desire for all of you to experience how real God truly is, and it all starts by experiencing the immeasurable love of God that comes to us and is available to all through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Therefore, if you desire (as who wouldn't!) to know such a love. Call out to the Lord Jesus, that you too just as I have and continue to, will experience the immeasurable, infallible, immutable, all encompassing perpetual love of God. Amen!

May you be forever blessed to know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

As always...YOU ARE LOVED.

An Outpouring

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.” (Proverbs 15:16 NKJV)


Beloved, I write to you plainly as I speak to the Lord. I am not filtering my conversation with the Lord to you (as I wish not to confuse but bring much clarity to all in the ways of God). Yet I would be remiss if I didn’t include you in this, as I want you to enter into the mind of a man who has experienced His God a great multitude of times and the way such a conversation between a redeemed man and His God goes. Amen.


Beloved, I thoroughly enjoy asking such tough questions. First and foremost to myself and towards my life as God is my witness, then to present it to you with a humble heart filled with much wisdom and understanding from my God through patiently waiting upon the Lord. Amen.


Here's the question I present to us: Who amongst us can say boldly and
confidently, ‘even if I have little I will remain greatly respecting the Lord?’

I ask such a question, that my soul may be complete in God lacking nothing, that I may have a faith to remain greatly respecting and honoring the Lord even if I were to have little and remain with little. For I have come to be thoroughly convinced in Christ, that whether I have little or much, may it be to the glory and praise of God. Amen. Such a spirit of thanksgiving regardless of the quantity of such things in life, is a spirit of contentment that surely is unshakeable in all things. Amen.


Over the last few days God greatly spoke to me and showed me a many great things. I was showed that life is truly but a mist, that is here one moment and gone the next. That we truly came from ashes and ashes we will return (bodily speaking according to the flesh that is). And that no amount of hurt and pain can shake the hardness of a heart no matter what, unless a choice is made first! To surrender and desire newness to enter into what was once separated and unwilling to forgive. That healing would occur, allowing in, the experience for the first time of true joy, love, and contentment. Amen.

I experienced that love covers a multitude of sins, and that unless you are of honor, you certainly will not honor others.

I say to my God, ‘what’s the difference between respect and honor?’ He responds “In this world, respect only comes by what title you hold, what you’ve done and what you accomplished, but honor according to My grace is not based on respect, for no one has accomplished anything worth respect for all have fallen short of the glory of God, but according to my everlasting mercy and grace I bestow honor to all creation in that I Am a faithful God and cannot deny Myself.” To which I say amen and praise my God that He would honor us by what He created and has sustained regardless of any of us being undeserving of it. For in our insatiable need to be selfish we fail, but according to God’s purpose seen in and fulfilled through Christ Jesus, we come to gain. Amen Lord Jesus!


Beloved, the mind reels at the ways of God, but this is a trustworthy saying, that we can all take comfort in, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are God’s ways higher than our ways, and God’s thoughts than our thoughts.” Amen.

For what man has created anything and devised such a plan to sustain all of life, but rather himself and possibly a short few? No one! Yet God in His infinite wisdom and perpetual loving grace created and sustains all life, and designed the plan of Salvation in and through the man Jesus. Amen.

Therefore what can be said of such things? If God is for us than who dare be against us? But here is the revelation in this writing to you beloved. If you haven't received this plan of Salvation and trust that God has created and sustains all life, here's a bold invitation not for the faint of heart. Ask that God Himself! Would reveal Himself to you and as you ask Him such a bold and daring question, seek to truly know Him by investing yourself in having such an encounter with God, that the door of opportunity might be presented to you that you may knock on it and God will answer. Amen! In that beloved, you would have discovered the greatest treasure of all... the Truth!


Beloved, it’s my faithful prayer that you may come to the fullness of God in Christ Jesus, that your life may be content in knowing how truly you are treasured and unconditionally and sacrificially loved by God. Amen.

As always... YOU ARE LOVED.

This is the Revelation... God is LOVE

This is the revelation! I am a witness to it, and it’s the Truth that I speak.

There is nothing that will sustain me other than love. There is nothing that will be enough for me, other than forever love.

There is nothing that is sustained apart from God’s love. Not hope nor faith. But love, sustains hope and faith. It is the greater of all things.

Human beings will grow weary. They will not be able to sustain hope, faith or love to others, because we ourselves need to plug back into Who is our hope, faith and love... That is God.

He is existent and everlasting because all things flourish from hope, faith and love. Amen!

This is why He is my Beloved... He is my everything. Because no one can give out freely and continually what God can only give out freely and continually.

God exists to be perpetual LOVE. This is why we rejoice! and it's declared, said and spread... That God is love. Amen!

A Confident Post: Know Your Rights

“If you know your rights, you don't have to live in fear.” – Mishel Estrada

The above quote speaks to all mankind. Whether in the corporate world, in ministry or personal relationships, we are all susceptible to live in fear if we’re uneducated towards our rights, and what is available to us.

Those who are uncomfortable to approach God because of guilt, live in fear of what God may think of them. This is a common misconception with all human beings.

I have good news! Here’s YOUR right for anyone who is in Christ— You can approach God confidently because of His unfailing love and mercy to us through His Son Jesus, as His Word to us declares this! “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NIV)

Amen beloved! Rejoice! Come confidently to God through receiving His Son Jesus. He is the Savior of the world, the One who allows confident passage to God in heaven. Amen!

My Book Report (Chapter 10): Every Day A Friday

Chapter 10

How should I open up this chapter of My Book Report? Oh, I know! I'll ask God to bless you and allow you to see those very words of blessing.

Father and God, thank you for all the millions of readers that will take in these words. I thank you Lord for their lives. I thank you my God that they were born. I thank you for what you will do in their lives.  Thank you for their eyes, their ears, their hearts, their minds, their hands and their feet. I thank you for all of this as I ask you to bless all of them. May these words not escape their eyes, and may they not allow these words to escape the eyes of their families, friends, and co-workers. Thank you my God for hearing my words and moving in me to bless them, in Jesus name. Amen

That's a blessed opening, and now I want to share with all your precious hearts what I learned from chapter ten of Joel Osteen's "Every Day A Friday." Chapter ten is titled "You Can Have the Last Laugh." The title is intriguing. Isn't it?! Right off the back, the title makes me think of not so nice things. People getting revenge on others. Witnessing people scheming and plotting to repay back people evil for the evil they have done to them. Even a saying I have heard a few times. "You want to get back at someone, become rich." I don't think money may be an answer of retaliation as it may very well cause others to hate you, and envy you even more. That may seem well and good with others, but not with me. I'm not here to rub anything in any one's face, but I am here to show that a life lived to honor God, will result in God honoring you despite those who look to bring you down, and according to God's Word, God will make it that your critics (those who want you to fail) will see how blessed YOU ARE. Amen.

In reading chapter ten Joel took me on a journey throughout the Bible. I went to the books of Deuteronomy, Romans, 1 Samuel, Psalm, Proverbs, and Genesis. It was amazing. A thrill ride that doesn't leave you dizzy but with the treasury of your heart overflowing and spilling over. Amen. Joel goes on to advise us that although in life we may very well encounter dealings with critics, naysayers, backbiters, backstabbers, those who are jealous and who say we'll never make it, we who believe and receive God through Christ Jesus can be assured that God will give those individuals a clear view of our table of blessing. Joel goes on to say, that God will make sure those individuals will see us promoted, honored, and accomplished. 

The above words are summed up from these Two Verses, and they are evident blessings that are direct results of someone who trusts, believes and lives out these Two Verses. 

As I read chapter ten, it had me reflecting on one key moment in my walk with the Lord. Very early in my walk, the Lord asked me to leave a position I had great comfort and influence in. Three years exactly at a particular company, and in the last year of those three years, things really started to go well for me. I had peace with my bosses, my co-workers and I truly enjoyed my work. 

Although leaving seemed absolutely crazy as I received good pay, had great benefits and seniority, the Lord said this to me repeatedly, "If you don't leave, you'll miss out on the blessing I have for you." Even others in the Lord and those close to me said I was wrong to leave and that wasn't what God said to me. 

Sometimes, it could take years for someone to come up to you and congratulate you, but the Word of God says, "..let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." (Galatians 6:9 NLT). 

My takeaway: 

For me in my life and the clear and concise way the Lord has spoken to me translates into this: Although it'll probably be some time before others can see the good work God is doing in my life, it may very well be the Lord building me up, and as I grow in the Lord, in due time what He first said to me will finally be made known to everyone else. Amen.

God is a promise keeper. It may not happen the way we want or expect, but be assured and at peace that it WILL happen. Amen.

As always...YOU ARE LOVED.

My Book Report (Chapter 8): Every Day A Friday

Chapter Eight

Good afternoon! Today is April 13, 2012. I'm including the date as I'm actually writing My Book Report and saving them as I read a chapter. Yesterday I posted CHAPTER 1 and today I posted CHAPTER 2. You may actually read this chapter's book report, being on chapter 8 "Silencing the Voice of the Accuser" sometime next week or the following week, so I intentionally want you to know how I am going about this book report of mine. As I mentioned in chapter 1, I was given the great suggestion to blog about Joel Osteen's book Every Day A Friday by a friend and brother of mine Jeff Zelaya. My thinking as I read and write about this book is this: Save the chapters you read as drafts then you can catch up on other reads that peak your interest yet keeping your posts on the book reports fresh. Good thinking, right?!

Okay, this chapter had me thinking and reflecting, and being grateful to God for all He is and does for me, for you, for all of us a lot! Right off the back Joel shares a story of a young boy who in his innocence and ignorance, does something that caused him great anguish within himself and to cover it up, he is forced to become a slave to his sister. He killed a duck with his sling shot. The young boy does all her chores because she witnessed what he did, and in order for her silence to remain, he needed to do what she did. This young boy's sister was the accuser in the story. She would come to her brother and whisper to him, "remember the duck." A couple of days went by like this, and finally the boy couldn't take it any longer. He broke down. showed remorse for the wrong he did. He confessed to his grandma and asked to be forgiven. Amazingly, his grandma said that she saw everything that happened through the kitchen window. She saw him pull the sling shot back. She saw him aim. She saw the rock hit its target dead on. She saw the duck die. She saw how shocked he was for what he did. She saw him bury the duck. She even saw that his sister witnessed it as well. All she was waiting for, was for him to grow tired of being his sister's slave. This young boy's grandma said she already had forgiven him and with a loving hug she embraced him tightly. The amazing point of this story, is this. Although wrong doing brings shock and at times causes us to hide the truth and be filled with guilt, our remorse for what we do, leads to confession and the love through forgiveness we experience actually sets us FREE. 

Chapter eight can be a weapon if utilized well to break down those walls of guilt the Accuser builds up against us. The whole chapter is on guilt. The chapter shares how guilt builds up in us and reminds us of the tools we are given in Jesus Christ to break free from a guilt-filled life. Joel Osteen says these words towards guilt, "Guilt puts you on a treadmill; you're constantly working and struggling and sweating, but you don't move forward." This quote certainly speaks to me about something I have struggled with and constantly look to God for the strength to break free from such thoughts- Being active yet not productive. Activity is a treadmill. You're doing things but it takes you nowhere. Productivity always leads to a different destination. You are able to see sights, sounds, gain experience, meet new people and most importantly build strong lasting relationships. I wonder many times if I'm being a treadmill worker, or a destination traveler. How about you?

Truth be told, I have often heard the Accuser say to me, 'everything you write doesn't matter. It's wasted time. No one cares. You have nothing to offer. It will go nowhere. You think God is doing something with it, but He isn't!' In effect, those words are just like the sister's words to her brother, "remember the duck." They too, have made me at times a slave. But thanks be to God! For such friendly reminders on how to respond to the Accuser, such as this. "No thanks. I'm not going there. If God doesn't condemn me, I'm not condemning myself!" Amen.

Wow! In rereading what God placed into my heart to write above, I'm blown away by the love and willingness God displays in our lives and the many resources He presents in our lives through writers, speakers, teachers, pastors, etc... to reach out and say that He is here and that He has already forgiven us. God is good. Amen. Okay, this will be the eighth report on Joel Osteen's Every Day A Friday. I have said it before, and I'll say it again. I definitely recommend this book. It's my prayer and hope that my words; my time invested here, will result in all of you seeking out the resource I am recommending and greater than that, seek out God through confession for forgiveness if you too, have felt the imprisonment of guilt by the Accuser. God is love. Won't you experience that FORGIVING LOVE AND EMBRACE?


My Take Away:


There will always be a voice accusing you of what you did wrong. What you failed at. But, as the Word of God declares so triumphantly to all believers in Jesus everywhere, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 NIV) let us all take those words in, and with conviction tell the Accuser, your words aren't stopping me from experiencing my God Potential, and certainly will not take my faith in God away. GET BEHIND ME SATAN!


Here are words of encouragement I gave myself, and I pass on to you. "Flavio, your guilt is left behind when your willingness to acknowledge yourself as a child of God is greater than the Accuser's willingness to harass you. Through God's grace you will rise higher, high above the Accuser where he can no longer harm you. Amen." 

A Beautiful Attitude (Part 8): Persecuted Righteousness

"Persecuted Righteousness many have suffered, but few know of it. In unveiling the Truth many lives will be forever changed. Do you know the Truth? His name is Jesus." - F. Lugo

Wow! This post is bitter sweet. I have come to the end of the words God shared with me concerning the Beatitudes in which the man, Jesus of Nazareth spoke to a great multitude. The Beatitudes is the amazing introduction to the greatest sermon ever preached: The Sermon on the Mount

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 5:10 NKJV)  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV)

The Beatitudes are staples for good living and the blessings that go along with such a life lived. As we come to the end of this journey called "A Beautiful Attitude" I have experienced and witnessed many blessings in my life and the lives of others. Easter was just a few days ago, and although the day April 8th has came and gone, the everlasting impression it has left behind both now and when the events took place 2000+ years ago remain and continue to shape the lives and eternities of a great many who experience the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

As I read and reread the verses in scripture above, so many things speak to me. But it's not about me, it's about you. Therefore, what do you think of the above words in scripture. The above words in red. The above words spoken by Jesus to a grand crowd that stood before Him? I prayed an amazing prayer before placing my fingers to the keys of my laptop. I asked God to give me the words to write that would change the lives of a great many forever. I asked God now to not allow these words, this series, this journey called A Beautiful Attitude to escape any eyes, and to lead many to share their thoughts, their insights, their experience with God through these words, even words of encouragement for the author. And as I said it to Him, I say it again...It's in Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Beloved, I am so overwhelmed by the love of God. I am so honored that God would choose me to write about such precious words, that were spoken so long ago and are forever ingrained in the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of a great many. The words are known as the Beatitudes. The speaker and Author is Jesus the Nazarene. And they are located in the Book of Matthew in the Fifth Chapter verses 1-12. It's been a great honor and privilege to receive from the pages of God's heart, as a deposit into my heart, as God's extended hand of friendship to all of your precious hearts. God bless you all.

Beloved, here are the links to the first 7 parts of "A Beautiful Attitude"

PART 1: Poor In Spirit

PART 2: Your Mourning Will Be Comforted

PART 3: Lay It Down

PART 4: A Satisfied Life Is A Righteous Life

PART 5: Show Mercy

PART 6: A Pure Heart

PART 7: Are You A Peacemaker?

Passionate Post: Do You Know

From Me to You

What started out as a Facebook post to reach out to the audience I care about and constantly pray for, turned out to be my heartfelt expression to my audience worldwide. 

I have shared with you in my words that YOU ARE LOVED by me. I often wondered whether you believed that or not. Whether you gave that much thought. Whether it mattered. 

So I want you to know that I don't love you as someone you're dating. I don't love you like someone you're married to. I don't love you as someone who you have grown up with. 

I love you as someone who believes in you. I love you as someone who desires to see the best in you. I love you as someone who asks God to save you. I love you as someone who thanks God for you.

Now that you know, I'll say it again...YOU ARE LOVED.